Jeremy Piven Cleared in Broadway Dispute

An arbitrator has cleared Jeremy Piven of contract violation in his dispute with the producers of Broadway's Speed-the-Plow, who were upset after the actor abruptly left the play due to mercury poisoning, the Associated Press reports.
"I feel like all you can ask for in this life is to have your day in court and I had that," Piven said. "The facts were presented, and it has been a really long journey for me. I am really happy that we can all move on and that all of the facts, and the medical facts, were heard. That the truth prevailed."

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Piven dropped out of the David Mamet play in December — two months before his run was to end — citing a high mercury count, which he said was caused by his daily sushi diet. Many were skeptical of his diagnosis, including Mamet, who quipped that Piven was departing the play to "pursue a career as a thermometer." Producers filed a grievance with the Actors' Equity Association, but Piven avoided penalties from that hearing, leading producers to take the case to arbitration.

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Producers said they "strongly disagree" with the arbitrator's decision, but "remain eternally grateful to everyone who helped make the wonderful production of Speed-the-Plow possible, especially the artists who created it, and the many who had to deal with very difficult and trying circumstances."